The devil, probably

Le diable probablement

Charles is a womanizing ringleader of the group, haunted by an overwhelming sense of nihilism that finally envelops him. He drifts through politics, religion and psychoanalysis, rejecting them all. Once he realizes the depth of his disgust with the moral and physical decline of the society he lives in, he decides that suicide is the only option.

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Beautiful poem of being in the world and not knowing why, seeing evil and being powerless to respond. Like most of Bresson's later work (Lancelot, L'Argent), when the film ends it is a kick in the gut. Bresson just walks away.

Allow me to begin by saying that I am an admirer of Bresson as a "cinematographe" I.e. filmmaker, and have seen quite a few of his films. If you have not, this one would not be a good place to start. His style is an acquired taste, to be sure. His clarity and precision may seem cold at first blush but is aimed, I think, at instilling the viewer with a provocative mixture of thoughts and feelings/emotions. Think about the relationship that you have as a person with your world - by that, I mean the environment, politics, morality, religion, love, friendship and everything else in your life - and see if you could follow or, at least, understand the path and the choices that Charles, the protagonist, makes for himself. I think that is all Bresson is asking of the viewer. He isn't seeking your approval, I don't think. That is why he gave the film its title. "Probably" is based on the evidence that is before this particular individual. We, collectively, or he, as a filmmaker, might not be right.